While it’s still not a done deal, a college athletics source told me early this morning “They’re just going over the fine print now…”, which would lead you to believe it’s on the verge of being announced.

At stake, of course, is money. That’s the only reason Maryland would be doing this sort of thing. It can’t be about any other reason. It’s most certainly not being done to help increase the interest in the Terps basketball program, which would take a major hit if they leave the ACC for the Big Ten. Maryland vs. Northwestern every year sure gets me excited, how about you? It’s fair to note that Big Ten football is far superior to ACC football, but what good does that do Randy Edsall and Company when they’re already a bottom-feeder in the ACC? Does the Big Ten really need another sacrificial lamb for Ohio State and Michigan and Penn State?

Some folks will point to Saturday’s woeful attendance of 32,000 in College Park to see Florida State hammer Maryland and use that as a measuring stick for how much of a draw even a good program like the Seminoles are…but the reality is the attendance in College Park is dwindling because the team isn’t any good. They can move to the Big Ten tomorrow, but if the Terps are 2-7 in football this time next year, they’ll draw 32,000 for the home game against Michigan State, too.

This is about money. Nothing more, nothing less. Maryland would get a chip or two from the Big Ten TV pie, for starters, and you would think a handful of football home games a year against the powers of the Big Ten would draw more paying customers than, say, annual visits from Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and North Carolina.

Maryland athletics, needless to say, is much more than just football and basketball from a competitive standpoint. But from the money viewpoint, those two sports are propping up all the others. While the soccer and lacrosse programs have both become national powers over the last few years, they’re still not paying for themselves. Golf, tennis, field hockey and all of the other non-revenue sports in College Park don’t generate enough cash to pay for the gas they use in the luxury coach to get them to Charlottesville, Virginia for an event. At Maryland, it’s basketball and football, with soccer and women’s basketball generating some money and men’s lacrosse chipping in as well. And that’s it.

So, on the basis of needing to make some financial sense out of sports at College Park, this move to the Big Ten is probably going to lend a helping hand to a department that has been scuffling for several years now.

And even though the Big Ten move might cure Maryland’s athletic economic woes, the switch won’t do anything cosmetically for Kevin Anderson and Company. They’re simply taking the money. Nothing more. The move doesn’t add any immediate interest to Maryland sports. The only reason Maryland hops to the Big Ten is because of the money they’ll make for doing so.

In general, the move stinks. No more Duke basketball games. No more Roy Williams. Rivalry games with Virginia are gone.

Maryland is an Atlantic/Eastern seaboard school with a long history of trips to Tobacco Road and memorable encounters with the Blue Devils and Tar Heels and Wolfpack and Deamon Deacons.

Maryland is not supposed to play Iowa or Michigan State or Minnesota.

But it looks like they’re going to be doing just that if this story comes to fruition, which many are now saying it will sometime in the next few weeks.

I don’t like it all, but I’m not surprised by it, either.

College sports is all about money.

If you have a lot of it, you’re the one doing most of the winning.

If you don’t have a lot of it, you’re trying to figure out how to get more of it so you can start winning again.

After missing most of the 2011-2012 basketball season with a broken leg and a knee injury, the soon-to-be junior point guard saw action in 14 games this year averaging 6.5 points-per-game for first year coach Mark Turgeon.

But it got even harder for Howard Sunday morning, as he was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct outside Shanghai Cafe in College Park.

Howard appeared to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, as he was apparently yelling over participants in a fight outside the establishment, but reportedly was not involved in the scuffle.

He was asked by police to step back, but refused initially. He was taken into custody, but was not held for long Sunday.

He will appear in court when a date is scheduled.

Howard’s incident stems off assistant coach Dalonte Hill being arrested on a DUI-charge earlier in the year.

The Diamondback was one of the first to report the story after the University police released a statement.

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The Maryland Terrapins appear to be set at guard for many years to come under new coach Mark Turgeon, but one of their own right now felt left out and is reportedly set to transfer.

Sophomore guard Mychal Parker, who was brought to Maryland under ex-Terps coach Gary Williams, averaged 4.3 ppg and three rebounds off the bench this season, and seemed to be on the outside looking in for Mark Turgeon in the future.

Parker announced his departure today via a statement to The Recruting Scoop, and called it one of the toughest decisions he has ever had to make.

“I have come to the realization that it is in my best interests to continue my education and my career elsewhere,” said Parker. “I’m very grateful for the opportunities and support I’ve gotten from the University of Maryland and from Coach Turgeon. I will always consider myself a Terp for life.”

Parker, a former four-star recruit out of Charlottesville, said Coach Turgeon approached him and advised him of his lack of playing time over the coming seasons with Jake Layman coming in next winter.

“We appreciate the effort and commitment Mychal made to our success and our program this season,” Turgeon said. “We certainly wish him well as he continues his academic and athletic pursuits.

Possible destinations for Parker include ECU and UAB, where former Maryland assistant Rob Ehsan is located on the staff.

Ehsan was a former Gary Williams assistant who recruited Parker to College Park, and was key in his development his freshman year at College Park.

There has not been a lot of things that have gone right for the University of Maryland since Randy Edsall took helm of the football program last year.

The team struggled to a 2-10 record, and amid criticism of Coach Edsall’s coaching style and hard-nosed approach, a complete recruiting class of over 25 student-athletes have left the program since the former UConn coach moved into Ralph Friedgen’s office.

But Friday night, one particular announcement may make troubled Terps fans feel a lot better-as five-star wide receiver Stefon Diggs-out of Our Lady of Good Counsel-committed to the University of Maryland in front of a large crowd at Looney’s Pub in College Park.

“We are very pleased to receive the commitment of Stefon,” Edsall said to the Washington Post. “He is an impact player who brings a playmaking ability that will enhance our team and certainly help us offensively. He is a great competitor and team player who loves to work every day and win. We are honored and happy to have him.”

Diggs (6’1, 190 lb)-the #2 rated WR prospect in the nation-had been considering offers from Florida, Auburn, and Ohio State over the last several weeks, and took his announcement past Signing Day, which was back on February 1st.

“A lot of people going to be mad at me,” Diggs said on his twitter page, @Marseanbaybee. “But oh well, gotta make the best decision for me.”

Diggs was rated as the 13th best prospect overall in the nation by ESPNU, and the top recruit coming out of the state of Maryland.

It was also believed that Diggs’ decision was made easier by the fact that fellow Good Counsel teammates in OL Mike Madaras and 3-star RB Wes Brown also decided to be Terps.

You can also decipher that new Maryland offensive coordinator Mike Locksley had a tremendous pull in the local recruiting area-enough so to sell Diggs away from national championship contenders in Florida, Auburn, and Ohio State.

We were able to make some in roads in our prime recruiting areas of Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania,” Edsall said on Signing Day. “We got into some areas and schools which we haven’t been able to in a long time.”

Diggs was a two-time All-Metro selection in high school and is the reigning All-Met defensive player having played corner back as well.

With Diggs’ on board, Maryland has six of the top-18 players in the state staying home.

Diggs’ commitment might also impact the return of quarterback Danny O’Brien, who toured with the receiver on campus for his official visit. It was reported by NBC4 in Washington earlier this week that O’Brien was set to transfer, but O’Brien disputed that report on Twitter.

Friday may have been an exhibition contest in Mark Turgeon’s first ever game at College Park, but the new Maryland coach took it with all the seriousness in the world.

The Terps defeated the Northwood Seahawks 89-84 in their exhibition opener at the Comcast Center, and despite the victory, head coach Mark Turgeon said that the team has a lot to work on going forward and it starts with tomorrow’s practice.

Maryland overcame 23 turnovers to fight off the Seahawks as the Terps struggled with a 13-point halftime lead, and Turgeon said that’s not acceptable to him.

“We’re just not very good with the basketball,” Turgeon said. “Guys aren’t very good. The decision-making isn’t very good.”

Northwood came in from last season posting a record of 33-4 and an unblemished 16-0 record in the Sun Conference.

The Seahawks’ coach was former Villanova legend Rollie Massimino, who brought the Wildcats a title in 1985.

Turgeon felt like they provided a great first test for his young unit.

“That was a good win for us,” Turgeon said. “Believe it or not, we got a lot better this week. [But], I tried to get out of the game. I couldn’t get out of it. Rollie wouldn’t let me out of the game.”

Up by 13 at the half, Northwood came out blazing out of the locker room, a 2010 first-team All-American Jonathan Dunn had 29 of his game-high 34 points in the second half.

Fellow teammate Patrick Hortsmann also finished with a double-double for the Seahawks, and he was a huge chore for Maryland in the first half-earning 12 of his 21 points under the net.

More balanced than Northwood, Maryland had five players finish in double-figures, highlighted by sophomore guard Terrell Stoglin’s team-high 23 points, five assists, and five rebounds.

Stoglin started slow in Friday’s contest committing several turnovers and only getting eight points, but a much more improved second half along with his teammates contributing allowed Stoglin to settle down a little bit.

Turgeon said that at times, Stoglin was trying too much.

“Terrell just tries to do too much. One-on-threes, one-on-fours…whenever he has to take seven or eight dribbles to take a shot,” he said. “It’s probably not a good thing for everybody concerned.”

However, Turgeon knows that if anyone has to be a catalyst for this offense, Stoglin is it.

“We’re just trying to get that corrected,” Turgeon said. “He was much better today than he was in our first scrimmage. Terrell made two big plays for us.”

Joining Stoglin was senior guard Sean Mosley, who also finished with 20 points and six rebounds.

Mosley agreed with his coach that they got a huge test tonight from Northwood.

“I think college basketball is tough,” Mosley said. “They played pretty well tonight. We just have to protect our home court.”

Mosley tied for the team-lead in turnovers with five, and he said that’s on him to correct those mistakes before the start of the regular season.

“It’s just a matter of us learning from the mistakes we had late in the stretch,” he said. ” It’s some of the things that we need to work on. I think we’re starting to get better as a team overall.”

Friday was also the first time Maryland fans got a look at freshman guard Nick Faust (City), who played considerable minutes with returning guard Pe’Shon Howard out with a foot injury.

Faust played 27 minutes for Mark Turgeon and finished with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, but he was 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.

However, he only played nine minutes in the second half after leaving with cramps in his thigh.

The highlight of the game for Faust came at the end of the first half with time winding down. Faust was dribbling the ball up the court with just seconds left on the clock, and forced a desperation shot from half-court in an attempt to hit the buzzer.

He did, and the 55-footer gave Maryland a 44-31 lead going into the half.

Still, Turgeon said that despite the showcase,the young Faust needs to be more selective with his shots.

“Quite frankly, he wasn’t very good offensively until he had the desperation-3 and then he hit the long one before the half,” the Maryland coach said. “He was 1-for-5 going into those two shots. Then he got going in the second half.”

The other player that Maryland Nation has been keeping a watchful eye on is 7’1 freshman center, Alex Len, out of the Ukraine.

Len-who when he plays during the regular season will be relied on for defense and scoring under the basket-played 16 minutes Friday night but was forced to sit most of the game with two early fouls.

It will be awhile before Terps fans will see Len again, as he will be suspended the first 10 games of the season by the NCAA for guidelines regarding amateurism.

However, senior forward James Padgett (10 pt, 9rb) and Ashton Pankley (12p, 5 rbs) played well in his place, and those two will have to bridge the gap until Len can return and be the force in the middle for Turgeon.

Padgett said that he’s been constantly chatting with Len and offering any advice he can give.

“He was so excited when he found out he could play today,” Padgett said. “He actually cried. It was a big moment for him. I was real proud of him.”

Maryland has nine days to prepare for UNC Wilmington in their real season opener November 13th, and that’s the date they’re circling on the calender for now.

“We’ve got guys that when things aren’t going well, they go in five different directions, and I’m trying to correct that,” Turgeon said. “Hopefully we can correct it by Sunday.”

WNST-We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports!

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The Breeders’ Cup is thoroughbred horse racings “Fall Classic”. For the past 25 years during this time of year, the Breeders’ Cup has represented the very best in the sport of horse racing. For the past 40+ years I have followed thoroughbred horse racing with a passion that rivals the most ravenous Ravens fan, the most die-hardest Orioles fan as well as the most Capitals ice hockey, Maryland Terp and NASCAR fan.

So with tongue in cheek, for the first time in over three years of blogging on WNST.net, I offer up my very first “list”. Something you have come accustom to when listening to 1570 AM in Baltimore and/or reading other blogs on this website.

#10 – Thoroughbreds never go on strike and horse owners never lockout their athletes
from the training facilities (re: any professional sport over the past 30 years).

#9 – No rainouts (re: MLB)

#8 – 15 exciting chase scenes (re: NASCAR just one real long one)

#7 – When you make a wager and win, you ALWAYS get paid off (re: your bookie of choice)

#6 – No injury reports to worry about (re: all Fantasy Games). Sure, horses get scratched,
but horseplayers just pick the next best selection to play.

The Baltimore Ravens have officially signed the following rookie free agents, executive vice president/general manager Ozzie Newsome announced Thursday afternoon.

CORNELL BANKS, DT-Fresno State

Cornell Banks appeared in 34 career games with Fresno State, posting 85 total tackles, including a career-high 32 as a junior in 2008. Throughout his collegiate career, he was a consistent All-Academic Team honoree for the Bulldogs.

TIM BARNES, C- Missouri

Tim Barnes was a three-year starter on the Tigers’ offensive line, making his 40th career start in the 2010 Insight Bowl. His efforts as a senior earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors. In his final two seasons, Barnes served as the center for QB Blaine Gabbert, the 10th-overall selection (Jacksonville) in the 2011 NFL Draft.

RYAN BARTHOLOMEW, C-Syracuse

Ryan Bartholomew concluded his four-year career as a senior team captain at Syracuse in 2010. He started all 35 contests he appeared in over his final three seasons with the Orangemen. He also scored his first career touchdown off of a fumble recovery in 2010 against Cincinnati. For his efforts as a senior, he was selected to participate in the 2011 East-West Shrine Game.

DAMIEN BERRY, RB,-Miami

Damien Berry played in 44 contests (starting 10) for Miami during his four-year career (2007-10). Seeing time mostly as a special teams player early on, he shifted to running back during his junior year. Berry finished his career with 1,515 total rushing yards on 283 attempts, including 899 yards on 190 carries during his senior campaign.

JUSTIN BOREN, G/C-Ohio State

Justin Boren was named a first-team All-Big Ten honoree following his senior season in 2010. He accumulated 26 career starts during his time as a Buckeye and won the Jim Parker Award, an honor given by OSU coaches to the team’s Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Prior to joining Ohio State, Boren played two seasons at Michigan, becoming just the third player in history to play for both teams in the storied Ohio State-Michigan rivalry.

RODNEY BRADLEY, WR-Hawaii

Rodney Bradley played two seasons (2009-10) at Hawaii, starting 18 games and totaling 79 receptions for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns. Prior to enrolling at Hawaii, he spent two seasons (2007-08) at Navarro College (Corsicana, TX), where he caught 51 passes for 909 yards and three TDs during his freshman and sophomore seasons.

JOSH BYNES, LB-Auburn

Josh Bynes appeared in 43 career games with the Tigers, recording 238 tackles (127 solo), seven INTs, 19 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two fumbles recoveries. He led the team in tackles in both 2009 (104) and 2010 (71). Bynes started 35 consecutive games dating back to 2008.

EUGENE CLIFFORD, S-Tennessee State

In three seasons (2008-10) at Tennessee State, Eugene Clifford recorded 204 tackles (120 solo), seven INTs and 26 pass deflections while starting 32 of 34 games. He was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference first team in 2009 and was honored as TSU’s Joe W. Gilliam Defensive Player of the Year in both 2008 and 2009. Prior to his career as TSU, Clifford played in four games at Ohio State in 2007 before transferring the following year.

BRYAN HALL, DT-Arkansas State

In four years at Arkansas State, Bryan Hall recorded 125 tackles (71 solo) and 17 sacks (-121 yards). Throughout his career, he consistently remained a backfield threat with his ability to create tackles for loss and sacks, recording at least 8.5 TFL in each of his final three seasons. As a senior in 2010, he posted a career- and team-high 10 TFL (-63 yards) and also a team-high 8.5 sacks (-59 yards).

TALMADGE JACKSON, CB-Oregon

In 52 games at Oregon, Talmadge Jackson recorded 159 tackles (112 solo), eight INTs (1 TD), 24 pass deflections and one forced fumble. As a junior in 2009, he posted a career- and team-high four thefts. He also posted seven kickoff returns for 91 yards during his career with the Ducks.

ANTHONY LEON, LB-Arkansas

Anthony Leon appeared in 26 games (14 starts) over two seasons with the Razorbacks, amassing 85 tackles (46 solo). In 2010, he led the team with 12.5 TFL (-42 yards). Leon was originally a member of Florida State’s 2006 recruiting class and played in eight games with the Seminoles in 2007, but moved to junior college prior to joining Arkansas in 2009.

COLIN MADISON, Guard-Temple

In four seasons (2007-10) at Temple, Madison started 28 games at right and left guard, anchoring the offensive line for his junior and senior seasons. After starting 11 of 12 games in 2010 and captaining the team for six of those contests, Madison earned 2010 All-MAC first-team honors. Madison was also a two-sport athlete with the Owls, participating in shot put for the track and field program.

RYAN MAHAFFEY, Fullback-Northern Iowa

Ryan Mahaffey appeared in 51 games (starting 43) for Northern Iowa during his four-year career (2007-10). He earned Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Academic honors his senior year. Mahaffey caught 25 passes for 227 yards and six touchdowns during his time at Northern Iowa, serving as a blocking tight end/fullback.

HAKEEM MOORE, Wide Receiver-Towson

Serving as a wide receiver and return specialist, Hakeem Moore amassed 3,449 all-purpose yards throughout his four seasons (2007-10) at Towson, ranking third on the Tigers’ all-time list. He was named to the All-CAA second team following his 2010 senior campaign. During his time with the Tigers, Moore registered 106 receptions for 1,397 yards and eight touchdowns, adding 92 kick returns for 2,030 yards.

JOHDRICK MORRIS, TE– Southern Miss.

Switching to tight end his senior season, Johdrick Morris earned first-team All-Conference USA honors after leading Southern Mississippi with 50 receptions. He also became the school’s first tight end to lead the team in receptions since 1985. Morris finished his four-year career (2007-10) with 73 catches for 976 yards and six touchdowns.

MICHAEL RICKS, DB– Stillman

Michael Ricks appeared in 20 games at Stillman over two seasons (2009-10), posting 108 tackles, seven INTs and 13 pass deflections. He began his collegiate career in junior college (2007-08) before transferring to Stillman.

TERRON SANDERS, DT-Florida

During his four-year career (2007-10), Terron Sanders appeared in 43 games (28 starts) with the Gators, recording 62 tackles (24 solo), two pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and nine TFL. In 2010, he recorded his only career TD off of a 45-yard fumble recovery, the team’s longest return of the year.

WALTER SANDERS, RB-St. Augustine

In four seasons (2007-10) at St. Augustine, Walter Sanders became the school’s leading rusher in the modern era (2,747 yards). During his senior season, the Baltimore native (Mervo HS) was named to the Daktronics All-Region first team, the Don Hansen All-Super Region second team, and he was a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is given to the Division II Player of the Year.

PATRICK SCALES, LS-Utah State

Patrick Scales started his career at Utah State as a walk-on in 2007 before earning a scholarship in 2008. Scales served as the team’s snapper for four-straight seasons (2007-10), and he was named an Academic All-WAC honoree in 2008.

MANA SILVA-S, Hawaii

Mana Silva played in 38 career games at Hawaii, recording 169 tackles (105 solo), 14 INTs and 26 pass deflections. As a senior in 2010, he set career highs in both tackles (85) and INTs (eight), which helped him earn first-team All-WAC honors. His 14-career INTs set a school record, while his eight thefts in 2010 ranked second nationally. Silva began his collegiate career at Oregon State in 2006 before transferring to Hawaii the following year.

DEREK SIMMONS, DT-Southern California

In four years at USC, Derek Simmons appeared in 36 games for the Trojans, recording 19 tackles. Simmons entered USC at defensive tackle before being moved to offensive guard in 2008. He finished his collegiate career back on the defensive line during his final two seasons..

JOSH VICTORIAN-CB, Louisiana Tech

In 33 career games, Josh Victorian posted 87 tackles (63 solo), five INTs and 27 pass deflections. He started every game for the first time in his career as a senior in 2010, posting two INTs, a career-high 36 tackles and team-best 16 pass breakups.

CHAVIS WILLIAMS-LB, Alabama

Chavis Williams appeared in 33 career games in four years (2007-10) at Alabama, earning a starting role in eight contests during his senior season. He compiled 17 career tackles, recording a career-high three stops against Penn State in 2010. Williams also posted Alabama’s only blocked kick in 2010.

LaQUAN WILLIAMS, WR-Maryland

LaQuan Williams spent his four-year career at Maryland playing different roles on offense (wide receiver), defense (cornerback) and special teams. He appeared in 38 games throughout his tenure, starting 13, all of which came at wide receiver. Williams finished his career with 33 receptions for 436 yards and three TDs, while also contributing 17 tackles on defense and special teams.

NATE WILLIAMS, S-Washington

Nate Williams played in 49 career games with the Huskies, including 13 as a true freshman in 2007. He recorded 275 career tackles (177 solo), one INT, 15 pass deflections and 4.5 sacks. As a senior in 2010, Williams finished third in the Pac-10 with 8.3 tackles per game and set career highs in tackles (105) and sacks (3.5), earning second-team All-Pac-10 honors.

TERRELL ZACHERY, Wide Receiver-Auburn

After redshirting during the 2006 season, Terrell Zachery played four seasons (2007-10) at Auburn, where he amassed 71 receptions for 1,106 yards and nine touchdowns, also adding 20 rushes for 285 yards and one TD.

WNST wants to welcome each one of these players to Baltimore! WNST-We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports! Be sure to follow me on Twitter @RyanChell87!